EC inquiry over ministry inputs for BJP manifesto

NEWDELHI: Following a Hindustan Times report on central government ministries and departments providing inputs for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) poll manifesto, the Election Commission has said that it has now instituted an inquiry and a report has been sought by the Commerce ministry. The poll watchdog added that it has written to the commerce secretary as well as the joint secretary handling administration.

Deputy Election Commissioner, Sandeep Saxena, said a decision will be taken after the report. “It has been reported that an email has been sent (by) one particular lady official to some officials to give some information which will be used for some particular purpose. When this (report) came to our notice, we immediately verified (whether there) is any such official, and it was confirmed over the phone that there is an officer like that … A report has been called for and we are awaiting the report from the ministry (sic),” Saxena said. On May 10, Hindustan Times reported that an email was sent out on March 28 to various departments under the ministry of commerce, including the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), seeking inputs for BJP’S ‘Vision 2024’ document on initiatives such as Start-up India and Invest India. The BJP manifesto was released on April 8. The Congress consequently filed a complaint demanding immediate action for MCC violation.